If you are in Cleveland or Northeast Ohio and need help, here’s a list of 21 local websites and phone numbers to keep handy, plus eight more national numbers.
Here are numbers to call for help with child abuse, child abduction, human trafficking, sex trafficking, runaways, homeless, hunger, mental illness, substance abuse, PTSD, rape victims, suicide prevention, fire or flood victims, LGBT issues, unpaid bills and more.
First Call for Help Dial 211 A local compassionate professional will listen to your problem, help determine available resources and act as your advocate obtaining the help you need. Operated by United Way Cleveland office.
FrontLine Service 24/7 Crisis Hotline 216-623-6888 Professional help for those who are considering suicide, for those experiencing homelessness, and for those experiencing sexual, emotional or physical abuse.
Collaborative to End Human Trafficking 216-413-6085 Cuyahoga County Regional Human Trafficking Taskforce hotline.
Project STAR (Sex Trafficking Advocacy & Recovery) 855-431-STAR (7827) 24-Hour Project STAR Hotline for survivors of sex trafficking and others in the community seeking information and help related to sex trafficking. Advocates meet survivors in a safe place (hospital, police station, shelter) to provide support after they are recovered from, or have left, a trafficking situation.
Bellefaire JCB 216-932-2800 / 800-879-2522 Bellefaire JCB is among the nation’s largest, most experienced child service agencies providing a variety of behavioral health, substance abuse, education and prevention services.
Child Abuse Hotline – Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services 216-696-KIDS (5437) – This agency receives 50,000 calls annually concerning physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Call to file a report or bring the affected child to 3955 Euclid, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 for immediate assistance.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (216) 619-6194, ext. 141 Each year, more than 64,000 people, one-third of them youth, find support by participating in the Center’s counseling, advocacy and education programs in Cuyahoga County, Ashtabula County, Geauga County and Lake County.
St. Vincent DePaul Society of Cleveland 216.696.6525 ext3150 Maintains an on-line list of dozens of local resources including free mobile phones, counseling, housing assistance, funeral assistance, health care, and other resources for food, clothing and small appliances.
Aids Taskforce of Greater Cleveland (216) 621-0766 Through leadership in prevention, education, supportive services and advocacy, the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland provides a compassionate and collaborative response to the needs of people infected, affected and at risk of HIV/AIDS across the Greater Cleveland region.
LGBT Community Center (216) 651-5428 Every day we learn more about the positive impact we have on our community, but we also witness the daily struggles of those who so desperately need our support. The staff and volunteers at the LGBT Community Center shine with dedication and big hearts.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank 216.738.2067 The help center is dedicated to connecting food insecure individuals with the assistance they need – allowing callers and walk-in clients the opportunity to complete an application for several government assistance programs. Clients can apply for SNAP (formerly food stamps) and more than 20 other programs with one of our benefits counselors. Calls are free and confidential.
Red Cross of Northeast Ohio 216-431-3010 Victims left homeless from fire or floods can receive assistance recovering from their disaster.
Northeast Ohio Missing Persons Database Call 911 to report a missing person. If inquiring about a missing person, call 216-623-7697.
Legal Aid Society 216-687-1900 Offers free advice clinics for individuals with civil legal issues on a first come, first served basis. Legal Aid Society does not handle criminal cases or traffic violations.
RTA (Regional Transit Authority) 216-621-9500 Safe Place makes every bus and train a refuge for youths seeking help. RTA will help them find trained counselors who can assist them. A human trafficking awareness campaign encourages RTA employees and riders to identify the signs of human trafficking, and help to eliminate it from society.
Community Service Alliance (216) 351-0655 The mission of Community Service Alliance is to be a catalyst for lasting relationships between people emerging out of homelessness and people willing to participate in their transformation. We accomplish our mission by providing affordable, supportive housing, developing local employment opportunities and work experience for the men we serve.
St. Paul’s Community Church 216.651.6250 Our primary mission is to relate to, and minister to, people who are living on the edge, who seek God’s will for their lives – struggling to find direction and purpose in a society that can be violent, insensitive and money-grabbing.
St. Herman House (216)961-3806 St. Herman House is an Orthodox Christian house of hospitality. We are a non-profit, 501c3, charitable organization committed to serving the homeless and poor of Ohio City and Cleveland in a spirit of love and hospitality.
2100 Lakeside 216.566.0047 Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside is the largest shelter in the state of Ohio, serving up to 350 men per night with an additional 30-60 beds available at partner overflow sites. At the shelter, LMM staff and social service partners provide on and off-site services to increase resident self-sufficiency.
Volunteers of America – Cleveland 216.302.2602 Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) helps and supports low-income veterans who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and/or need help transitioning to permanent housing. The new program aims to prevent homelessness and ensure housing stability among our community’s veterans and their families.
Help paying your bills and dozens more charitable organizations that provide all types of assistance.
More National Contacts
National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE)
National Runaway Safeline 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-runaway (786-2929)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678)
FBI – Child Pornography Victim Assistance (CPVA) 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
Truckers Against Trafficking 612-888-2050
Immediate help for Mental Health Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center, text MHA to 741741, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Emergency Financial Assistance for a variety of situations
Benefits, grants and loans from the Federal Government
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Do you have some other good resources to share? Be sure to leave them in the comment section below and I’ll update this article. Who knows how many people may benefit from your suggestion?
Want to help with child trafficking protection? See some of the following articles:
Want to get involved with ending human trafficking?
Saint Bakhita – patron saint of trafficking victims
Look beneath the surface – would you recognize someone being trafficked?
Make a friend – save someone from becoming a trafficking victim
